Tons of Texture

Spring/Summer 2013

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

Tons of Texture | Sara Jacoby & Dominick Maggio, April 21, 2012, Lowndes Grove Plantation

Charleston Wedding The Maxx Snyder Event Rentals Lowndes Grove Plantation Flowers Fish Inc Lettered Olive Lowndes Grove Monique Lhuillier

A MOD MATCH: “We both knew early on we had something special,” says Sara, who wore an Amsale gown. Dominick donned a Tom Ford tux.

QUITE THE HANDFUL: Bridesmaids carried white ranunculus, cream-colored spray roses, and ivory peonies accented with lamb’s ears and Dusty Miller.

A SOFT TOUCH: Tara Guérard Soirée combined spray roses, light pink peonies, Dusty Miller, and orchids for Sara’s textured, elegant bunch. The bride’s stitched initials lent a subtle something blue to her look.

WITH THIS RING: The couple exchanged vows beneath an altar of sheer fabric and fresh flower garlands. Sara’s uncle officiated the ceremony. “Even with no experience, we knew he would do an amazing job,” says Sara.

SETTLE IN: The lounge was made cozy by layered carpets, plush couches from Snyder Event Rentals, and large drum-shaded lights.

MIRROR, MIRROR: For an airy effect, table assignments were calligraphed onto mirrored circles, which Soirée attached to silver sticks and presented in metal baskets.

FEAST FOR THE AGES: Sara says she and Dominick wanted the reception to convey an “old world,” traditional feel, which a charcuterie spread and grand florals helped to create.

CRYSTAL CLEAR: Chandeliers gave a shimmering finish to the dinner tent top’s panels of ruched chiffon.

MAKE YOUR MARK: The bride and groom’s reception seats were designated by strings of flowers—the same garlands that adorned the ceremony’s altar.

LETTERPRESSED: For a personalized pop of color, Soirée sewed a “D” for Dominick, “S” for Sara, and “M” for Maggio (the couple’s newly shared surname) on the three table clothes.

LET’S DO DINNER: Unfussy place settings and pale-hued arrangements lent understated charm to the long tabletops, which were framed by textured Chiavari chairs.

BAND TOGETHER: The Lettered Olive printed dinner menus on paper bearing a soft gray and white design. Blue bands with names calligraphed by Elizabeth Porcher Jones doubled as place cards.

HOW LOW CAN YOU GO? Short arrangements of hydrangea, roses, and Dusty Miller kept tables clear for conversation.

SWEET SWEETS: The mini cakes by A Matter of Taste were topped with real flowers and arranged on a soft gray display. Says Sara of the dessert spread, “I saw the idea in Vogue and thought it was adorable.”

PEEP SHOW: Patterned paper peeked out from beneath the mini cakes from A Matter of Taste, brightening the neutral-hued dessert spread. The tiered display echoed the shape of a traditional confection.

A STRAIGHT SHOT: Guests enjoyed a clear view of the Ashley River. Of Lowndes Grove Sara says, “It had a very Charleston feel, and we wanted our guests to feel like they were on vacation.”

SHOE FAIRY: Wrought iron vessels holding palette pleasing flip-flops were stationed next to the dance floor.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: The one thing the bride would change from the day? “I would’ve made the wedding longer!”

Photographs by:

Liz Banfield

When Sara and Dominick met at a mutual friend’s birthday party in December 2007, conversation came easy. Chatting throughout the night, things went smoothly until, says Sara, “Dom asked for my phone number and got my name wrong!” Nonetheless, three years after she shared her digits, he proposed. For their nuptials, the New York residents chose Charleston—where Sara’s mom lives—then teamed with Tara Guérard Soirée to realize their vision of an old-world affair. After exchanging vows amid the oaks of Lowndes Grove, the couple and their guests celebrated with a three-course meal. Long tables were made intimate with textures—votive holders wearing intricate patterns, china with perforated trim, and flowers in slick, mercury glass vessels. Overhead, ruched blue chiffon panels and ivory drum shades broke up the sheer tent top—an effect that was colorful, layered, and relaxed. “We really wanted people to enjoy themselves,” Sara says of the night. “It was absolutely amazing.”

Vendor List

Bride’s attire: Amsale; www.amsale.com, short dress; Rachel Gilbert; www.rachelgilbert.com
Bridesmaids’ attire: Monique Lhuillier; www.moniquelhuillier.com
Calligrapher: Elizabeth Porcher Jones
Cakes: Kim Morgan of A Matter of Taste
Catering: Fish Restaurant; www.pphgcharleston.com
Ceremony music: String Ensemble through Debut, Inc.
Ceremony and reception location: Lowndes Grove Plantation; www.lowndesgrove.com
Event planning and design, floral, lighting, guest bags: Tara Guérard Soirée; www.taraguerardsoiree.com
Groom’s attire: Tom Ford; www.tomford.com
Hair: Kristy Cuthbert at Velvet Salon; www.velvetsaloncharleston.com
Makeup: Moore Makeup; www.mooremakeup.com
Photographer: Liz Banfield Photography; www.lizbanfield.com
Printing: The Lettered Olive; www.letteredolive.com
Reception music: The Maxx through East Coast Entertainment; www.eastcoastentertainment.com
Rentals: Snyder Event Rentals; www.snydereventrentals.com
Transportation: Absolutely Charleston; www.absolutelycharleston.com
Videographer: Joel Serrato Films; www.joelserratofilms.com
Vintage Lincoln: COMPASS Transportation; www.ridecompass.com

The Wedding Row

February 14 2022

Botanical Designs Set the Tone for Springtime Vows at The Bend

Written By Melissa Reardon Photographs By Lucy Cuneo A transplant from Virginia, Weston “Wes” McAfee vividly remembers the first time he saw his future bride-to-be. Charleston native Dana Elaine...

December 29 2021

Lowcountry New Year’s Eve Wedding Inspiration & Real-life Tips

An Elegant Affair Proves New Year’s Eve Might Just Be The Perfect Time To Start A New Life Together By Joanne O’Sullivan | Images by Brandon Lata Photography Few people anywhere in the...

December 16 2021

Jacqueline Savage & Nicholas Harris | Legare Waring House

A Match Made in Heaven Classic white blooms, greenery, and wooden elements set off this stunning Charleston wedding under the oaks When it comes to love and marriage, couples who pair well...

December 2 2021

Chelsea Koontz & Tanner Swayne | Lowndes Grove

A Charleston Winter Wedding Embraces the Season with Sophistication and Glamour Just a few hours before sunset in mid-winter, Charleston takes on a certain golden glow, unparalleled at any other...

November 17 2021

Amy Bronston & Trevor Pittman | The Gadsden House

Take Cues from this Intimate Dreamy Blue “I Do” Amy Bronston and Trevor Pittman’s love story reads like a romantic movie. It was during the 2019 holiday season in Washington DC, where...

October 28 2021

Madison Clark & Brian Ruther | Lowndes Grove

This Halloween matrimony perfectly plays up the holiday—with a dash of fun and plenty of class in a scenic coastal Charleston setting By Joanne O’Sullivan | Images by Anne Rhett Photography...

October 11 2021

Fabulous Flowers for Fall Charleston Weddings

By Melissa Reardon | Images by Kelsey Halm Photo Expert Advice for a Beautiful Fall Bouquet With seasonal change comes an exciting rich color palette and tons of texture with which to design....

September 29 2021

Alexandra Nelson & Erik Korianski | Boone Hall Plantation

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Photos by Dana Cubbage Weddings | Written by Melissa Reardon They say the greatest marriages are built on teamwork. And indeed, it’s one of the marital building blocks...

Feature

Real-Life Fairy Tale

See what happens when a local wedding insider dreams up her own princess-worthy celebration

Feature

Vintage & Violet

Ashley Ward & John Muller, Jr.; November 22, 2009, Boone Hall Plantation

Feature

Gossip, Girl!

From new dress shops to chic stuff for your mom (and mom-in-law), and lipstick that’s so pretty you’ll pucker right up, here’s the latest in wedding style headlines